Head of Chocolate Academy Zurich

About the role

Reporting to the Lead of the WE Chocolate Academy, the Head of Chocolate Academy Zurich will be responsible for leading the Chocolate Academy team to ensure a high-standard, inspiring customer experience for clients across all market segments in the region. As the face of Barry Callebaut’s culinary expertise, you’ll be an ambassador for our brands and values, supporting product development, innovation, and brand promotion while driving the Academy’s mission to deliver a premier learning and co-creation space. You’ll play a crucial role in managing the Academy’s operations, guiding a team of chefs, coordinators, and technical advisors, and supporting our local sales and marketing teams through dynamic and creative culinary services.

Key Responsibilities include

• Academy Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead the Chocolate Academy team, setting priorities, planning workflows, and ensuring high team efficiency.

  • Mentor and empower the team to grow, build expertise, and achieve their ambitions, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

  • Ensure that Academy facilities and equipment are well-maintained, sourcing innovative tools and negotiating partnerships to keep the Academy at the industry forefront.

  • Manage the Academy's budget (P&L responsibility), ensuring financial objectives are met while enhancing the Academy’s quality and reach.

• Customer Experience & Market Engagement

  • Develop and implement an annual course program, including leading workshops, coordinating courses with ambassadors, and integrating new culinary trends.

  • Support the local sales and marketing teams by participating in co-creation sessions, product launches, brand events, and webinars to drive commercial impact.

  • Engage in customer-centric activities like teaching, demonstrating, and developing recipes that showcase our products.

  • Collaborate with the export team, sales, and marketing to create customized recipes, provide technical support, and stay updated on competitor trends.

• Brand & Culinary Expertise Ambassador

  • Act as a public-facing expert in chocolate and pastry, representing the Academy at national and international events like the Chocolate Ambassador Club and World Chocolate Masters.

  • Serve as an influencer within the culinary community, attracting and collaborating with guest chefs, influencers, and industry leaders.

  • Support our digital transformation by creating digital content, engaging on social media platforms, and bringing the Academy experience to a broader audience.

  • Represent Barry Callebaut at fairs, exhibitions, and customer events, elevating brand visibility and promoting a passion for chocolate.

• Innovation & Technical Support

  • Lead product testing, develop new recipes, and provide technical expertise to customers and Barry Callebaut’s R&D team.

  • Collaborate on new product development initiatives, contributing innovative ideas for the CARMA product line and adapting recipes for market needs.

  • Support technical advisors and the broader Sales team in delivering high-quality product training and demonstrations.

  • Stay informed on industry trends and innovations, ensuring the Academy’s courses and offerings reflect the latest advancements.

• Operational Excellence

  • Maintain a well-equipped, state-of-the-art Academy by sourcing innovative equipment and securing sponsorships.

  • Ensure all health, safety, and compliance standards are met, including reporting high-risk issues to the General Manager.

  • Coordinate with various departments to support Barry Callebaut’s customer journey, aligning innovation, portfolio offerings, and customer service standards to meet customer expectations.

About you

• Advanced training in Confectionery, Bakery, Ice Cream, Dairy, or Pastry with a specialization in chocolate and fillings

• Minimum of 10 years in the chocolate or cocoa food manufacturing industry, with leadership experience and an understanding of B2B market dynamics

• Prior experience in managing a team

• Proficiency in German and English is a must; additional language skills in French, Spanish, or Italian are an asset.

• Digital influencer with knowledge of social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and Salesforce experience.

• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.

• Flexible, charismatic, and proactive, with a creative mindset and a passion for culinary excellence.